It is common knowledge that since time immemorial, Ethiopians at different points of time have been playing a most important role in protecting their territorial integrity and fending off external pressure. Notwithstanding the fact that a lot of endeavors have been by some entities to twist Ethiopia’s arm, all their efforts went for a burton on account of the commitment of Ethiopians.
Whenever something happens, they leave no stone unturned to stand by the side of their motherland at the drop of a hat. As they give priority to Ethiopia, devoid of batting an eye, no one by hook or crook under any circumstances dares to pose a threat to their motherland.
In actual fact, the people of Ethiopia for years have been a victim of unjustified foreign pressure under the pretense of unconvincing arguments and deceptive grounds. Though some entitles left no stone unturned to interfere in the internal affairs of the country and impose external interests, Ethiopians working in close collaboration thwarted their evil mission going behind closed curtains.
Though Ethiopia’s adversaries and special group interests work day in and day out with a view to encroaching on the territorial integrity of the nation by orchestrating several treacheries, Ethiopians have been showing them the fact that they cannot make their dreams become a reality by fair means or foul.
In times gone by, scores of efforts have been made by some groups intending to put ungrounded pressure on Ethiopia and twist Ethiopia’s arm under the guise of shallow grounds and flimsy pretexts. To the surprise of everyone, under any circumstances, on the subject of their nation, Ethiopians irrespective of gender, religion, educational background, ethnic group, and more of the same stand with one voice and one mind.
Ethiopia has been suffering not only from territorial threats, but also from poverty and backwardness. Endorsing poverty and lack of ensuring food self sufficiency are the root causes of existential threat, the current Ethiopian incumbent has undergone various initiatives aiming to ensure food security and food sovereignty by far. The initiatives like irrigated wheat and rice cultivation and ‘Yelemat Tirufat’ can be considered as part of ensuring food sovereignty.
Unable to be self sufficient in food items is equally threatening as foreign invasion. Taking into account this reality, the Ethiopian government has begun the way to get rid of poverty visioning to be exporter of agricultural products up on satisfying its local needs. The best way identified so far is using own resources that include human capital. Engaging the bulk number of young people into the economic activity is viable for the country to make poverty a history thereby ensuring food sovereignty.
In times gone by, albeit quite a lot of attempts made by some groups utilizing unjustified foreign entities, Ethiopia has successfully staved off external pressure at various points in time. As nothing makes Ethiopians happier than protecting the territorial integrity of their country, they more often than not do everything possible to defend their motherland.
In fact, Ethiopia enjoys a rich history of heroism in protecting against external pressure and standing up for liberty and self-determination. It goes without saying, Ethiopia is applauded for defending colonization, subjugation, and oppression from every nook and cranny of the continent of Africa and beyond as the earliest possible time.
Though its adversaries know like the palm of their hand the heroism of Ethiopia, they do not distance themselves from leaning over backwards to attack the country’s sovereignty. But by hook or crook, they cannot make their dream become a reality.
It is worth recalling that the Italian colonial power invaded Ethiopia paying no heed to the people’s bravery and resilience. In spite of that, Ethiopians in the course of time chased away the invaders in combination at the Battle of Adwa. The trump of the country has brought a new historical period to the entire Africa.
In a similar manner, apart from serving as a torchbearer for African’s independence, Ethiopia has been playing a huge role restoring peace and tranquility in the Horn of Africa. Aside from historic contribution for freedom and pacification of Africa, Ethiopia has continued playing a due part to ensure peace and security in the continent, renowned and seasoned diplomat said.
Speaking with the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Ambassador Konjit SeneGiorgis, in the recent past stated that the nation has been putting unwavering effort along with IGAD and AU to safeguard peace and security in the region.
Besides striving to create economic cooperation in the continent, Ethiopia has remained the largest troop contributor to AU and UN peacekeeping missions in Rwanda, Burundi, Liberia, Sudan and Somalia, she said.
Ethiopia’s contribution to the continent is not limited to its symbolism of freedom, Konjit said, adding that the country also takes the lion’s share in the coming in to force of former OAU now African Union that aimed to rid the continent of colonization and apartheid.
Likewise, Konjit recalled that Ethiopia which was led by Emperor Haile Selassie had greater role when 32 African states that had achieved independence at that time agreed to establish the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May, 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
She further highlighted the successful influence Ethiopia put once when the OAU accomplished its first task and holds new missions. Recalling the role of Ethiopian leaders for the freedom in Africa, she also called on each citizen to follow their footprints. Ethiopia’s adversaries made every possible effort to put disproportionate claims on the country with the purpose of bringing pressure to bear on the people of Ethiopia.
It should be borne in mind that during the war that lasted for two years in the northern part of the country, some international media outlets went to the ends of the earth with the purpose of spreading fake news stories giving the cold shoulder to the existing reality on the ground. However, Ethiopians residing at home and abroad stood in unison more than ever before and ended up throwing cold water on the naysayers’ endeavors.
In the aftermath of its growing economy and political influence, Ethiopia has become involved in brokering peace deals among warring parties and undertaking a role in sustaining peace and tranquility in the Horn of Africa.
From sending peacekeeping missions to mediating competing parties, Ethiopia has played a part in making peace happen in various parts of the continent of Africa exceptionally well and without a hitch.
It is clear that since the laying of the cornerstone for the construction of the Abbay Dam, Ethiopia’s adversaries have been making every effort to do a hatchet job on the positive developments. Notwithstanding the fact that several deeds have been made by some entities under the veil of the colonial agreements, Ethiopians residing abroad moved mountains in forestalling groundless external pressure.
They got involved in familiarizing the wider international community with the honest truth revolving around the flagship project. It is worth mentioning that in the face of continuous foreign intervention under the pretense of fair and equitable utilization of waters, they spared no effort in crippling the wicked deeds of some groups making an effort to bamboozle the international community with fake news.
In the present climate, on the heels of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland; Somalia and Egypt have set in motion beating the drums of war. On the basis thereof, Ethiopians have been watching the unholy marriage of the two nations with peeled eyes.
To everyone’s dismay, they have sustained distorting fact with the intention of winning the hearts and minds of the global community with cooked up stories and putting the blames on Ethiopia. No matter how hard they tried to hoodwink the international community, their efforts will not bear fruits.
As far as this, Ethiopia has continued making an effort to get to the bottom of the predicaments through round table discussion. The agreement signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland would not affect any party, or breach any laws, so said Government Communication Service (GCS).
In a statement published in the recent past about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Partnership and Cooperation that has been signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland, GCS said that the accord wouldn’t harm anybody since it relies on mutual benefits achieved through lawful and peaceful means.
“No party or country will be affected by this MoU. There is no broken trust nor are there any laws that have been transgressed,” the statement noted. While this is the fact, it cannot be said that some will not be offended, shocked and refrain from attempting to destroy the positive progress, it said.
According to GCS, the MOU includes wide scopes of cooperation in social, economic, political and military fields. The document gives Ethiopia the opportunity to obtain a permanent and reliable naval base and commercial maritime service in the Gulf of Aden through a lease arrangement, and according to the government’s announced position, it allows Somaliland to derive an equivalent share of the lease from Ethiopian Airlines or any other benefit depending on its interest, the statement expressed.
As to GCS, the agreement with Somaliland is a demonstration of the government’s belief in achieving Ethiopia’s aspirations through cooperation with its neighbors, through the principle of reciprocity, and peaceful means.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
The Ethiopian Herald September 8/2024
